Review: ‘Entourage: The Complete Fourth Season’

The Queens-to-Hollywood kings of "Entourage" are readying their return to HBO for season five. In anticipation of the Sept. 7 premiere, the fourth season DVD release offers fans a satisfying inside look at the year that was the "Medellin" debacle.

The Queens-to-Hollywood kings of “Entourage” are readying their return to HBO for season five. In anticipation of the Sept. 7 premiere, the fourth season DVD release offers fans a satisfying inside look at the year that was the “Medellin” debacle.

Three-disc set is slickly packaged with enticing extras worthy of A-list movie star Vincent Chase, even as the 12 episodes serve as a reminder why the boys are trying to put the failed Pablo Escobar biopic behind them.

Prize featurette is a 45-minute Q&A with the cast at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. Former New York Times film critic Elvis Mitchell queries a panel of creator Doug Ellin, executive producer Stephen Levinson and actors Jeremy Piven (Ari Gold), Kevin Connolly (Eric Murphy) and Adrian Grenier (Chase).

Hilarious and poignant moments ensue as the crew reflects on the success of the show and the surreal moments when their onscreen personas seep into their personal lives. For example, Piven describes the time former New Line topper Bob Shaye mistook him for Ari Emanuel, questioning why Piven was wearing a T-shirt and jeans in the middle of the day when he was supposed to be running Endeavor.

Ellin explains the allure of “Entourage,” saying that while they try to keep it real, the series is about wish fulfillment. “We want people to look at it and go, ‘I wish that was my life.’ Sometimes I’m watching through the camera and I’m like, ‘I want to be over there.'”

Entertaining audio commentaries in episodes one, seven and the finale don’t provide much insight but make up for it with amusing banter from the New York wiseguys.

Other extras include recaps of seasons 1-3 and a behind-the-scenes piece on the making of “Medellin.”